Residential solar panels are remarkably low-maintenance. In Washington, most homeowners only need to clean their panels once or twice a year.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The key maintenance tasks every solar owner should know
- When and how to clean your panels safely
- How much solar maintenance costs in Washington
- What you can expect from warranty coverage
If you live on the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsula, here’s everything you need to keep your solar panels running efficiently for decades.
Key Solar Maintenance Requirements
There’s not much you have to do when it comes to solar maintenance. A few simple tasks will maximize your electricity production and keep your panels in prime condition for as long as possible.
We recommend focusing on these 3 things:
1. Solar Panel Cleaning
The primary maintenance for solar panels is cleaning. The grime that builds up on solar panels blocks sunlight, reducing their output and your electric bill savings, so it’s a good idea to clean them off occasionally.
How Often Should You Clean Your Solar Panels?
Your solar panel cleaning schedule will depend on where you live. In Western Washington, it’s best to clean your solar panels once or twice a year.
This will keep them free of dirt and grime, ensuring maximum power generation. The rain helps, but it’s not enough to remove stubborn build-up like the moss that can grow at the bottom edge of a solar panel, where all of the pollen and dirt accumulates.
How to Clean Your Solar Panels
There are two ways to clean solar panels. You can either hire a professional or do it yourself. If you decide to clean your panels yourself, follow these steps:
- Check your warranty – Some manufacturers have specific cleaning recommendations.
- Rinse panels with a hose – Use a garden hose to rinse off as much grime as possible. Avoid high-pressure nozzles that could damage the panels. Do not use a pressure washer!
- Gently scrub with a soft microfiber cloth – Use a soft microfiber cloth, brush, or squeegee to clean any remaining grime. Avoid anything harsh or abrasive that could scratch your panels. Treat them like you would glass.
- Use caution – Climbing on your roof is dangerous. Always use caution and hire a professional if you’re wary. Do not step on the solar modules, as this can crack the glass and degrade the panels faster.
2. Solar System Monitoring
Monitoring helps ensure your system is producing power as expected. It’s the best way to spot issues before they impact your savings.
With Cascadia Solar as your solar panel installer on the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsula, your solar system comes with lifetime remote monitoring, so you never have to stress about whether it’s working properly.
Remote monitoring allows us to see the power and energy output of every individual solar module, so we can identify and repair issues precisely. This saves you money because, if an issue comes up, you don’t have to schedule a full system inspection to find out which component needs attention. It also eliminates the need for annual maintenance to flag issues—if there is one, the monitoring system will let you know.
With remote solar system monitoring:
- You can check performance anytime from your phone, tablet, or computer
- If there’s an issue, you’re automatically notified
- We’re also notified of issues and will schedule a service call if one arises
How Much Does Solar Maintenance Cost?
Solar maintenance costs are minimal. Here’s what to expect:
- Solar panel cleaning: Free if you do it yourself. Professional cleanings typically cost around $150-$300 per visit.
- Monitoring: Included free for Cascadia Solar customers.
Beyond that, most systems require little to no ongoing expense. Of course, unexpected problems and failures can happen, but these are rare and replacement equipment is often covered by your warranty.
What Do Warranties Cover?
Your warranty protection depends on the manufacturer and installer. At Cascadia Solar, we stand behind our products and installation with warranties and guarantees for:
- Roof Damage or Leaks – We guarantee that your solar panels will not cause roof leaks. If you end up with a roof leak caused by our installation, we’ll fix it for free.
- Workmanship – We provide a comprehensive, 10-year workmanship warranty for your entire system.
- Equipment – The solar panels and inverters we install are backed by a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Each manufacturer warranty is different, though, so be sure to discuss this with a Cascadia Solar Project Manager if you have any questions.
Learn More with a Free Consultation
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels for your home in Port Townsend or another community on the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsula, don’t let maintenance hold you back. Solar panels are one of the lowest-maintenance home upgrades you can make, and we’ll help you keep your system running smoothly for decades.
As the solar division of Frederickson Electric, we’ve been in business for over 50 years and will always be around to help if you run into a problem with your solar panels.
